Govt forms task force for health sector

Around 13 experts from private and public sector are part of the team

ISLAMABAD: The government has notified the health task force to evaluate the current status of healthcare in Pakistan and submit its findings to the government.

According to an official notification, around 13 experts both from the private and public sector, from Pakistan and abroad will evaluate all aspects with statistical analysis including but not limited to medical, dental, nursing and ancillary health care.
The force constitutes renowned health experts including from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC).

Prof Nausherwan Burki of University of Connecticut, USA, is leading the task force who was the key member of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa (K-P) team that brought reforms in the health care system of the province.
He had already visited both the major public sector hospitals in the federal capital earlier this month along with the health minister.

The other members include SKMCH&RC CEO Dr Faisal Sultan, Indus Hospital CEO Prof Abdul Bari Khan, SKMCH&RC CMO Dr Asim Yusuf, Prof M Hamid Zaman from Dept of Biomed Engr and International Health at Boston University USA.
The Ex-director of Pharmacy Services at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Latif Sheikh, and Prof Zulfiqar A Bhutta from Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health at AKUH are also in the team.
The nursing section include Prof Dr Rasia Gul, Prof Dean FNM at Shifa College of Nursing, Shaheen Ghani, President of Pakistan Nursing Association K-P and Director Nursing at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Professor Rafat Jan, President of Pakistan Nursing Council and Dean School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rawalpindi, and Rehana Elahi, Director at Nursing SKMCH&RC.

National Health Services Regulations and Coordination Secretary Captain (retd) Zahid Saeed is part of both the teams.